Axes and spears in 500-strong football brawl

More than 500 people wielding axes and spears turned on each other during an Australian Rules football game at a remote Northern Territory community.

The brawl broke out about 5pm on Sunday at the Angurugu sports oval on Groote Eylandt, about 600km east of Darwin.

Police claim the fight erupted on the field when an opposing player threw the football at another player who had been awarded a free kick.

"Another player then became involved and the situation deteriorated into a large scale disturbance and the football match was called off," a Northern Territory police spokeswoman said.

"However, the disturbance degenerated when community members allegedly began producing weapons including axes and spears."

Several people received minor injuries as a result of the brawl.

While no arrests were made, police have confirmed a full investigation will be carried out to identify those people who were armed with weapons.

A number of weapons have been seized by police.

Elders in the Gulf of Carpentaria are expected to hold meetings with the community in an attempt to defuse and resolve issues between the families involved.

- AAP